SCARY STORY WRITING CONTEST WINNERS

A LITERARY MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY KIDS FOR KIDS OCTOBER 2017 KIDS’ INK IS KIDSSPONSORED BY THE ELMHURST PUBLIC LIBRARY INK

The Spootucular Mysterious cakes on the cafeteria tables and they the bat said these magical words, “Turn Snowy Halloween left the school. When the kids woke up back into normal children” and they all by Briana B., 8th Grade later that morning, they couldn’t believe did. The kids all said “This was the most it was snow on the ground. They couldn’t mysterious and snowy Halloween ever.” It was the day on an early Halloween figure out why there was snow on the So all of them went to figure out what morning, all the ghosts, witches, jack-o- ground? So they all went to school in secret ingredient was in the cake, and lanterns, and monsters were all meeting orange and black shirts and pants, and it was powerful magical sparkles that up at a Spooky Halloween House, and when they walked into the cafeteria, turned them into those evil Halloween they all had a plan to make it be a snowy they saw mysterious vanilla cakes on the characters. And they saw footprints of and mysterious day. So they all said, tables. So each and every one of them jack-o-lanterns, witches, ghosts, and “Magical evil snow, fall on the ground, ate the mysterious vanilla cake. Each monster footprints. So the children went and poof 2 inches of snow fell magically and every one of the children turned secretly to get all of their belongings and on the ground. So then they went to an into ghosts, witches, jack-o-anterns and went back home. So when the teachers elementary school called Oak Park. And monsters. The children couldn’t figure got to the school, they said “Where are they all secretly went into the cafeteria. out what ingredient turned all of them all my students.” Will the teachers ever They cooked a mysterious vanilla cake into a Halloween character. Then a nice find out what happened to all of her that had magical frosting on top, so they bat snuck into the school window, she students? quickly set all the mysterious vanilla watched everything that happened, and

The Haunted House By Reese K., 1st Grade

One night, Reese, Alex, and Quinnley went to a haunted house. They rang the doorbell. No one answered, so they RIP opened the door. They walked in. Alex said, “This house looks creepy!” Reese said, “We should get out of here!” They killed you “The front door locked!” Quinnley screamed. Alex heard The terror did a voice say: “Boooo!” The voice came closer. And closer. And sadly, you lost A ghost jumped out at them! Alex, Reese, and Quinnley opened the front door quickly ran home. by Aubrey S., 3rd Grade

1 A Not-So-Scary Night Screech ... like to learn how to make a Boo-witch?” By Raiden S., 2nd Grade Screech ... Screech … “YES!!!” said the brothers. “Is that house really haunted?” Sam and Went the stairs as they stepped. Sam Brady hear all their friends talking about slowly opened up the broken bedroom “Ok, I will show you how to make it. It a haunted house on Madison Street. One door. They didn’t see anyone inside, is very simple. Put peanut butter on a day, they decide to explore the house. but they heard the scratching noise get graham cracker, spread marshmallow They walked in and heard a scratching even louder. Brady said, “Did you hear fluff on another graham cracker and noise that they thought was coming from that, Sam? That scratching noise?” “Yes, squish them together to make a Boo- the chimney. “What do you think it was?” I heard the noise” answered Sam in a witch. Easy!” Brady asked Sam. Suddenly the door nervous voice. I think the sound is coming slammed shut ... from downstairs.” They quickly ran back The brothers were excited to meet the Boom! downstairs. witch and her pet ghost. They were The two brothers were locked inside, happy that she was so nice. they decided to The hallway was cold and dark. Brady walk up the screeching stairs. and Sam thought they saw a ghost. They “I haven’t had any trick-or-treaters come walked down the long hall and at the end to my house for years” said the Nice they noticed a light coming from under a Witch. “Maybe if you fix up your yard, door. They opened the door and … the kids will start to come back.” Brady “Oh, there you are!” said the Witch. said. “We can help you!” said Sam. “That “I was waiting for you. I am the Nice Witch. would be very nice” said the Nice Witch. Please come in. I have something to show you,” she said. “Are you afraid On Saturday, Brady, Sam and their of ghosts?” she asked. “Uh … yes,” friends helped the Nice Witch fix her said Sam and Brady at the same yard and helped rake the leaves. The time. “I have a pet ghost. But! He is a nice Witch was very happy and the next friendly ghost. He likes to cook with Halloween the Nice Witch had many me. We make a special “Sandwitch” trick-or-treaters. called a “Boo-witch.” Would you

The Spooky Night By Alexandria K., 3rd Grade

One day there were two sisters named Lucy and Lexi. They were playing at their home. A new babysitter was going to baby sit the two girls. The baby sitter’s name was Sophie. Sophie arrived at there house. The babysitter said “OK you can go now.” She said to the parents. The baby sitter said “Now what do you want to do?” “Well” said Lexi “I would like to play down stairs” “OK!” said Sophie. So they went down stairs and played Hide-and-seek. First, Lucy had to hide. So they were looking for Lucy and when Lexi was looking for Lucy she saw a skeleton on the floor. Lexi screamed “help” and then Sophie ran and gave her a hug to make her stop screaming. But it was not Sophie. It was a witch and she was about to steal Lexi. So Lexi grabbed the witch’s arm and said Stop it so she went to a different house to scare. So then Lexi found Lucy and their mom and dad came home and now everyone is safe, or maybe not. The End.

2 The Tale of the Pumpkin on Halloween Night By Emily H., Kindergarten

Once upon a time there was a pumpkin. One stormy night, 2 people came out of the pumpkin and their names were Mal and Malificent. They were wicked. They made trouble all over town.

One day, 2 girls who were trick or treating on Halloween night saw Mal and Malificent. The girls’ names were Emily and Madeline. After they saw them they realized that Mal and Malifcient belonged inside the pumpkin in the scary world. Emily and Madeline pushed them into the pumpkin in their scary world where they belonged. And they lived happily ever after ...

The Creepy Cat on Halloween Night By Lauren G., 7th Grade

The cat creeps up on Halloween night. He gives me a scare. His eyes glow in the middle of the night. What a fright! He’s getting ready to scare his victims on this creepy night. A trick or treater sees the black cat. He thinks he’s cute but then the cat turns around and hisses! The trick or treater jumps in fright what a RIP creepy sight! “I didn’t expect that,” said the trick or treater. His Come name is Midnight. He’s black all over. So don’t cross his path on Halloween because he’ll hiss at you next and you will jump in for dinner..? fright. He is waiting for his next victims to scare. From …. NO ONE YOU WANT TO KNOW!

By Zaim F., 5th Grade

3 Nike Nine hours later we finally arrived and By Kacie C., 7th Grade headed towards Spircio Gallery. Our mamas always told us to never go to It was a day like any other only it was a Spircio Gallery, but today was the day very special day. Nike, my best friend Nike would finally get his wish and finally and only friend, was going to be having get to see what was there. a rock and I grabbed his hand and ran a very fun day today because it was his towards the entrance. The doors were birthday. Last night, I convinced him to Spircio Gallery was pretty scary looking locked and that’s when I lost it. I started sneak out with me to Town Square for the and twice I told him maybe we should cursing at Nike telling him it was a stupid whole day. Currently it was about one in leave even though it was my idea in the idea to come to this cursed place. They the morning which was good because the first place and twice he ignored me. were coming closer and I knew that it bus to Town Square left at three so we Statues of corpses lined the walls and was the end of us. Too late to turn back had a good hour to get ready. while Nike kept on going, I got the chills. now. I never thought that Spircio Gallery I woke up Nike and told him to hurry up He finally stopped in front of Magent would be the last place where I saw him. and get ready or else we were going to Star’s statue. I remember from History Screams of pain and agony could be be late. Nike is that type of person who class that she could enter into your heard as his life was taken away. Tie-dye takes forever to get ready. As soon as he dreams and turn them into nightmares eyes are all I could remember seeing and was ready, I got our bags and we headed and make you have visions. She was like it makes me think that Turquoise was the down to the bus station. On our way a goddess, but a bad one. Firmly I told one who did this. But it’s my fault that there, a few dark spirits crept up on us Nike that we should leave but he told he’s dead and if I hadn’t decided to take but we paid no attention. me to shut it. I was tempted to drag him to Spircio Gallery, he’d still be here. him out but decided against it. It was I led him to her. He’d still be here, we’d his birthday after all. Magent Star came still be in Acornsa City, I wouldn’t have a back to mind and the thought of what stalker, and I wouldn’t have to feel guilty. she’s done makes me cringe. Nike yells at If I wasn’t so stupid, I’d still have my best me to hurry up and get my bottom over friend and I’d still be Nye. to another statue. Dark spirits were all that was in this gallery and that’s why And I wouldn’t have to pretend to be my no one dares come here. It hit me like dead twin brother.

Aubrey S., 3rd Grade

Zombies, witches, and mummy’s How will I know which one is out to get me? My babysitter is trapped, my parents are dead Who will watch me while I’m in bed?

Bats, mummy’s, and skeletons Zombies, witches, and ghosts Will they be my babysitter? I don’t know

Here I go journeying through, ready for a fight I saved my babysitter and got foster parents Now I feel safe and ready for Friday night. Yay, we cheer. Hipidy hop is right!

4 Then the stain filled up the whole costume. It started to look like it had arms and legs. It started to look like a lizard. Isabel did not like lizards. When she saw the lizard stain, she screamed and ran and hid in the bath tub. I Want Candy! Her mom found her in the bath tub By Zaim F. , 5th grade because she was going to give her a little The Big Lizard Stain brother Max a bath. When Isabel’s mom by Elin S., 1st Grade Chewy and Max saw her, they asked her what Chocolate was wrong. There was one October, just like any Crunchy! other. There were pumpkins all over, She said, “well it’s a really scary story: leaves falling, and it got colder. But Cookie, I got a huge orange stain on my fairy then it started to get like Halloween-y Peanutty, costume then later it got legs and arms somehow. Caramel-y! - it was yucky and gross.” And there was a girl named Isabel. Isabel Tiny bars, Her mom said, “show me the costume loved Halloween. She loved that you Huge bars, and I will try to get the stain out.” But could get into any costume you wanted Round ones, when Isabel got her costume the stain - whether it was scary or not. Square! was gone! When Isabel put on her favorite costume, a fairy costume, she noticed a big orange Put them in my Isabel was so happy to be able to wear stain on her costume. She screamed! bag tonight… please?! her fairy costume to go trick-or-treating. She didn’t want an ugly stain on her fairy But when she turned around to leave the costume. house to go trick-or-treating, her mom Isabel thought she could still wear the saw a little orange lizard tail peeking out costume, but every day the stain got behind her fairy wings ... bigger.

The Tale of the Scary Ghost By Cecilia S., Kindergarten The Very Special Halloween Night Diana G., 7th Grade Once upon a time there was a scary ghost and a little girl. While the little girl was sleeping the ghost put a Jack O’lanterns, maliciously glowing bright, spell on her. When she woke up her parents were gone. ghosts are floating about left & right. The black skies are rapidly pressing in, witches are arriving on brooms Her older brother asked her what was the matter and with all of their kin. Strong ominous trees are in large she answered our parents are gone! After breakfast clusters, black cats are prowling, the wind ferociously the two went to look for their parents. howling. Eyeballs and potions in glass jars. Spiders crawling here & there, every one, without a care. This They looked day and night and on Tuesday they found Halloween has lots to give. Fun, candy, tricks, & on this them riding their bikes in the park. very special night, most of all, loads of fright! Then they all went home together. The End.

5 Marshland’s Graveyard children continued walking on the mushy the story, it must be true! Ben raised By Daniel G., 8th Grade ground, Mr. Kolmard stopped. There was his hand slowly and questioned. “W-w- a fork in the road. He turned and looked why is it called Marshland’s graveyard?” It was time. Hugging his mother goodbye, at the kids. “Guys,” he said. “If any of he asked. Mr. Kolmard looked around Charlie raced up to the old yellow you ever come this way, ALWAYS take one last time. “It was because of the school bus, his mother still shouting the the right side!” he warned. “If you forget, Marshland incident that happened in regular last minute reminders over the remember the saying: right is always this camp about one hundred years howl of the wind. “And don’t forget!” right!” He looked around until they all ago.” he continued, “there was a camp she shouted, “Do not wander off! Stick nodded to confirm they understood. counselor. He was murdered ... by his together!” Charlie grinned and waved Charlie raised his hand. “Yes, you?” own students ... he was buried here goodbye to his mother as his bus ride Mr. Kolmard pointed at Charlie. “Um,” in this very graveyard! That’s how it began. As the hours dwindled down, began Charlie. “Why do we have to take was coined ‘Marshland’s Graveyard’.” the bus pulled into the camp deep the right side? Why not the left?” Mr. Everyone stared at Mr. Kolmard in into the night. The tired students filed Kolmard looked into Charlie’s eyes. “If disbelief. No one had any words to say. off the bus. Charlie was still talking I told y’all you wouldn’t believe me,” he “Let’s get to the campsite!” Mr. Kolmard with his best friend Ben. As the other shuddered. This only got the students said marching ahead at a quicker pace. students got off the bus, their camp more curious. Mr. Kolmard looked around The night passed uneventfully. The next instructor, Mr. Kolmard, met them at anxiously. “There’s a graveyard.” He evening, the campers gathered around ground level doing a head count. “Fifty pointed down the left side of the path. a campfire bowl. That is, everyone eight ... fifty nine ... sixty ... sixty! A total “Except ...” there was another pause. besides Charlie and Ben. They were of sixty students,” he said to himself. “The graveyard is said to be haunted! off to fulfill a dare initiated by Ben. “Hopefully we can keep it that way,” he Marshland’s graveyard is what they call “Ben?” asked Charlie with a bit of fear added under his breath. Mr. Kolmard it! It’s no regular graveyard! The ghost in his voice. “Yeah?” said Ben looking introduced himself and started leading of Howie Winston Marshland haunts it!” at Charlie in the dusk. “You’re sure you the children to their campsite. As the Everyone gasped. If the counselor told wanna do this?” he asked. “Of course

Time to Come Out By Sophia S., 7th Grade

It’s that time of year, it’s All Hallows Eve The babies come out, but quickly leave

The toddlers come out, oh aren’t they sweet The kids come out for ‘trick or treat’

The teens come out for candy and pranks The adults come out, telling kids to say “thanks!”

The monsters come out, they have fun too They like to eat children, children like you!

6 ...” said Ben with an uneasy chuckle. stood his back straight up and tried to the source. “BOO!” Something shouted The boys backstepped the way they give a definite no. “Where do you think behind him and Charlie bolted. He came until they got back to the fork Marshall’s grave is?” Charlie asked Ben didn’t look to see what was behind him. in the road. They stared down the left as he laid out his sleeping back. “Uhhh Charlie started running all around the side. Then, a wave of I’m not so sure...” replied Ben. “Hopefully graveyard, oblivious of which way was memories came flooding through not around us,” he said with a chuckle. the way out. He then tripped over a Charlie’s head. His mother’s warnings, “Where’s your flashlight?” he asked Ben. gravestone. He crashed to the ground. the counselor’s story, and the eerie “Oh, no!” exclaimed Ben. “I must have Autumn leaves crinkled around him as look of the graveyard ahead. There’s no dropped it down the path.” Charlie bit Charlie rolled in pain. He stood up only turning back now he thought. Charlie his lip. “I can come with you,” he offered. to realize his flashlight was shattered followed Ben towards Marshland’s “Nah, I’m good. I will be back in a second,” on the ground. He heard the sound Graveyard. The deeper the boys walked Ben replied as he hopped off before again. He took off again, jumping over down the path, the scarier it got. They Charlie could protest. Charlie quickly gravestones. Charlie skidded to a halt in finally reached the haunted graveyard. jumped into his sleeping back. All was front of a large tomb. It opened up, and Charlie and Ben walked up to the small, quiet. The campfire was out, and Ben Charlie knew exactly who it was! The rusty gate and gently unhooked it, still hadn’t returned. Charlie gulped and ghost of Howie Winston Marshland! pushing it open. CREEEAAAAKKKKK. tried convincing himself that Ben was Charlie tried running, but to no avail. The duo shuttered at the sound playing a prank on him. Then he heard The ghost flew right over him, matching and walked inside, closing the gate a groan. “Who’s there?!” Charlie shouted and countering his every move. The behind them. A coyote howled in the into the darkness, waving his flashlight ghost laughed, “MUAHAHAHAHA!” distance, the sound echoing all around around feverishly. No one answered him. Charlie screamed as the ghost grabbed the boys. Bats flew out of the leafless “Ben! Stop! You’re not funny!” Charlie him, dragging Charlie into the tomb trees, barely missing the boys’ heads. exclaimed. Still ... no answer ... Charlie with him forever, finally achieving his Charlie screamed. Ben laughed. “You shrieked and stood up trying to match revenge for his murder those many afraid?” he taunted Charlie. Charlie his beam of light to the sound to identify years ago ...

The Haunted House By Sarah G., 3rd Grade

“Go in! Go in!” My friends push me up to the stair of the old haunted house. “No I can’t” I tell them. “It’s to hard to bear.” they open the door creeeeeek. They push me in then Bam the door slams behind me. “I hear a sneak from a bat above me. Then a hissss from a Black cat ahead of me. Then a boo from a ghost. That’s definitely the most scaryest thing I ever saw. All of the sudden a Big Green Monster jumps out on me. “Why are you hear?” His voice storms real loud on me. “I’m sorry I’m sorry but please let me free.” O.K. he said but get on your way. “Thanks” I yell. I run out the door way more faster then I ever had before.

ELMHURST PUBLIC LIBRARY • 125 S. PROSPECT AVE • ELMHURST, IL 60126 (630) 279-8696 • ELMHURSTPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG 7 The Cottage wasn’t good! walked toward the girls as they stepped by Elyssa H., 4th Grade Suddenly, Elisabeth spotted her dad. The back into a green wretched zombie with girls were so happy and relieved they blue teeth and everything gross you can On a windy and cold Halloween night, were safe and could go home and leave imagine. They were surrounded by all two girls, Elisabeth and Francesca the cottage forever. He came up to them types of monsters when they heard the left Elisabeth’s house located at 1313 to hug them when Elisabeth noticed fur same voice that first called them into the Cemetery Lane in Blood Ville to go trick growing on his arms and chest. Francesca house. Through the monsters the girls or treating. Elisabeth was dressed in a noticed that his teeth were becoming saw the outline of the little one eyed black cat suit and Francesca was dressed razor sharp. The girls started to scream doll made from its ash. “Did you get the as a devil. They were approaching a and panicked as Elisabeth’s dad turned candy, did you get the candy I told you street with all of the porch lights on when into a mad beast ... a werewolf! He tried to get?” Beep! beep! beep! went a loud suddenly all the lights went out. The to bite their heads and feet. Elisabeth noise. The loud noise cut through the friends heard a young girl’s voice saying, was closest to the counter and reached cottage. What was that Elisabeth asked “I have some candy, follow my voice, I for the salt. “Francesca, werewolves herself? It was then she realized she was have some candy, follow my voice.” The don’t like salt, sprinkle this on him!” safe in her bed at 1313 Cemetery Lane. It girls were lured into the woods that Elisabeth said as she tossed the salt to was only her alarm clock. What a relief they didn’t even remember being there her. Francesca did as she was told and she thought! Elisabeth rolled over to get before the lights went out. The girls the werewolf vanished. out of bed and then spotted a small, one were not frightened so they decided to The girls were running to leave the eyed doll with a green dress sitting on follow the voice. As they got deeper and cottage when they bumped into a her dresser. deeper into the woods the voice grew skeleton. The girls screamed “Ew!” at louder and sounded crackly. Francesca the same time. It was hideous! The was feeling very nervous and thought skeleton had vines wrapped around the two should go back home but then its head and a worm crawling where Elisabeth spotted a cute little cottage in the eyeball used to be. Crickets were the distance. Elisabeth said, “Come on, jumping in and out of his mouth and he let’s go see if they are passing out candy was chomping with his teeth. There at that cottage.” When the girls reached were ticks in his ears and on his the porch of the cottage the door swung head. Bed bugs were on his chin open and the girls carefully stepped and mold was all over his face. He inside. Then the door slammed behind them! They turned around to leave only to find there was a wall in the door’s place. They were trapped!! Francesca noticed a little doll laying on the floor. It had one eye and blood on its face. It was wearing a torn green dress with blood stains. Elisabeth hesitated but picked it up and the dolls head turned around. She had never seen a doll like this before. It was the creepiest thing she had ever witnessed! Suddenly the doll spoke and said, “Grab the candy from the kitchen, it will bring you much delight.” Then the doll turned to ash. The girls went through a small opening into the kitchen. They would do anything for candy! Before they could reach the bowl of candy, they felt something slowly swirling around them and it was very cold. A voice said, “You girls have reached your doom destination!” The girls were sure it was a ghost but whatever it was, it

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